Summer of 84
Performance & Direction: Summer of 84 Review
Last updated: January 31, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Summer of 84 (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Summer of 84 features a noteworthy lineup led by Graham Verchere . Supported by the likes of Judah Lewis and Caleb Emery , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Summer of 84
Quick Plot Summary: Summer of 84 is a Drama, Horror, Mystery film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. After suspecting that their police officer neighbor is a serial killer, a group of teenage friends spend their summer spying on him and gathering evidence, but as they get closer to discovering the truth, things get dangerous. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Summer of 84
Ending Breakdown: Summer of 84 concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Summer of 84 reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Summer of 84?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Summer of 84
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $1.5M |
| Worldwide Gross | $42.0K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Summer of 84 Budget
The estimated production budget for Summer of 84 is $1.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Summer of 84
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Summer of 84 Online?
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YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeSummer of 84 Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about Summer of 84 age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Summer of 84 is 106 minutes (1h 46m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.9/10, and global performance metrics, Summer of 84 is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summer of 84 worth watching?
Summer of 84 is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.9/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Summer of 84 parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Summer of 84 identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Summer of 84?
The total duration of Summer of 84 is 106 minutes, which is approximately 1h 46m long.
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Critic Reviews for Summer of 84
A very pleasant surprise. It was hardcore derivative, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. Even if it had, there is **nothing** old hat about that ending. _Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
**Perhaps some mild spoilers** 1/3 of the way through and so far it's rather annoying. Ridiculous dialog, unrealistic feel and cliche stuff that copies recent successful shows/movies. I'll finish it later but I'm not expecting much. OK...finished it! It actually ends up better than it started. I think it could have been vastly improved with a few changes. It tries too hard in places and a few of the characters were unrealistic or maybe the acting was just bad. The dad was acted poorly and the neighbor girl was too old and unbelievable. She seemed like some 25-year-old Playboy Bunny crushing on the nerdy kid she used to babysit. There is no universe in the multiverse where this would happen. All that said, the conclusion was pretty good and obviously opens it up for a sequel at some point. I really thought the it was setting up for a giant twist where the guy who you thought was the killer was innocent and the real killer was the hot neighbor girl. That would have explained her unhealthy obsession with the boy next door. 6/10.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
